Scripture Focus (Revelation 3:1-6) – “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
I. The King Had Something To Say (Revelation 3:1)
A. Jesus summoned the leader’s attention (1a) – “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write…”
B. Jesus spoke with authority (Revelation 3:1b) – “The words of Him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.”
C. Jesus employed shock value (Revelation 3:1c) – “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”
Spiritually Dead Churches Share The Following Traits:
-
-
- programs without prayer
- slick pomp without spiritual power
- marketing without witness
- an opportunity to disappear in the crowd
- bottom line finances without upper room fire
- a majority who are spectators but not sacrificial
- an overemphasis on budgets and bottom lines
- controlling leaders with dominant personalities
- apathetic members who shrug off opportunities to serve
- an inordinate emphasis on results
- an indifference to the unlovable
- an unwillingness to deeply analyze motivations & priorities
- an ignorance of the absence of God’s presence & power
II. The Church Had Some Things To Be Shaken (Revelation 3:2-3)
A. Their need for awakening (Revelation 3:2a) – “Wake up…”
B. Their summons to finish well (Revelation 3:2b-3a) – “…and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3a Remember, then, what you received and heard.”
C. Their warning of retribution (Revelation 3:3b) – “Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”
III. The Sustainer Had Something To Pledge (Revelation 3:4-6)
A. A promise to the faithful remnant (Revelation 3:4) – “Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.”
B. A pledge to those who finish well (Revelation 3:5) – “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”
C. A plea to the discerning ones (Revelation 3:6) – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”